Back-to-School Night
Virtual Back-to-School Night Is Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6:30 p.m.
The MLWGS PTSA Back-to-School (BTS) meeting this year is going to look a little bit different. In lieu of an in-person BTS meeting, we have created a COVID-friendly narrated PowerPoint presentation that will be uploaded to the MLWGS homepage on Thursday, September 24, at 6:30 p.m. Google polls will also be uploaded to the homepage for the PTSA general membership to cast their votes for this year’s slate of officers, the budget, our annual audit, and updated bylaws.
Feel free to view a non-narrated version of the MLWGS Back-to-School PowerPoint prior to Thursday night's narrated version: BTS PTSA PowerPoint.
School Directory Deadline Sept. 25
Every year, the Maggie Walker PTSA produces a directory with contact information for student families. The School Directory Committee wants to make sure we include the contact information you wish to share.
Due to new FERPA guidelines (VA HB1: legislation that restricts disclosure of certain student contact information without the written consent of the students/parents), MLWGS has an OPT-IN policy instead of an OPT-OUT policy. Unless you complete the Directory Information Permission Form by going to Ecollect Forms in PowerSchool, MLWGS will not share your data with the PTSA.
The PTSA has recently emailed School Directory Contact Information Questionnaires to allow you to see and/or change your directory information. If you have not heard from us, we likely do not have your correct email address, so please contact us at mlwgsptsadirectory@gmail.com to review or include your information.
Please email us no later than Friday, Sept. 25. We hope to have the School Directory posted to PowerSchool by Monday, Sept. 28.
Congratulations to Lexi Pasternak (Henrico '22) for her winning design submission for the 2020-21 School Directory cover (above). Her work was selected out of 13 student submissions and she will receive a $50 gift card for her winning design.
This year's first Great Lake Scrip orders must be placed by Monday, Sept. 28.
Please watch our new video that includes a step-by-step, hands-on overview of enrolling, shopping and payment options: SCRIP Video.
Due to COVID-19, the PTSA budget will be affected by a lack of income from in-person fundraising events. Now, more than ever, the PTSA wants you to join us in using the Great Lake Scrip Program by purchasing gift cards or e-cards for some of your everyday shopping. The PTSA receives a percentage back at no extra cost to you! Go to shopwithscrip.com to enroll and order (enrollment code is in your back-to-school packet). If paying by check, the check must be received by the order due date. Please either arrange a pick up with your coordinator or mail the check (made out to MLWGS PTSA) to:
Laura Dysart, 5021 Sylvan Rd., Richmond, VA 23225.
Questions? Contact Laura at scrip@mlwgsptsa.org. Thanks for your support!
To learn from the senior counselors about college, scholarship, career, military, enrichment, and multicultural opportunities, please view the Senior Newsletter (Sept 2020 edition) on the School Counseling website ->College Admissions Information -> Senior Newsletters: Link here.
Students are encouraged to cross-reference this publication with their Naviance accounts and the individual programs’ websites for more details.
Testing Schedule and Participation
The College Board is allowing schools extra flexibility this year, and has added two additional test sessions. We will test half of the juniors on Wednesday, Oct. 14 (juniors with last names A – Maz), and the other half on Thursday, Oct. 29 (juniors with last names Mc – Z). We have been assured that both groups will receive score reports at the same time in early December. Sophomores will take the test on Tuesday, Jan. 26, provided there are no changes in Virginia Covid-19 guidelines. Students in all sessions will sit at least six feet apart, wear masks, and be subject to temperature and Covid-19 screening upon entering the building.
Due to new FERPA guidelines (VA HB1: legislation that restricts disclosure of certain student contact information without the written consent of the students/parents), MLWGS has an OPT-IN policy instead of an OPT-OUT policy. Unless you complete the Directory Information Permission Form by going to Ecollect Forms in PowerSchool, MLWGS will not share your data with the PTSA.
The PTSA has recently emailed School Directory Contact Information Questionnaires to allow you to see and/or change your directory information. If you have not heard from us, we likely do not have your correct email address, so please contact us at mlwgsptsadirectory@gmail.com to review or include your information.
Please email us no later than Friday, Sept. 25. We hope to have the School Directory posted to PowerSchool by Monday, Sept. 28.
Congratulations to Lexi Pasternak (Henrico '22) for her winning design submission for the 2020-21 School Directory cover (above). Her work was selected out of 13 student submissions and she will receive a $50 gift card for her winning design.
First Great Lake Scrip Orders Due Monday
This year's first Great Lake Scrip orders must be placed by Monday, Sept. 28.
Please watch our new video that includes a step-by-step, hands-on overview of enrolling, shopping and payment options: SCRIP Video.
Due to COVID-19, the PTSA budget will be affected by a lack of income from in-person fundraising events. Now, more than ever, the PTSA wants you to join us in using the Great Lake Scrip Program by purchasing gift cards or e-cards for some of your everyday shopping. The PTSA receives a percentage back at no extra cost to you! Go to shopwithscrip.com to enroll and order (enrollment code is in your back-to-school packet). If paying by check, the check must be received by the order due date. Please either arrange a pick up with your coordinator or mail the check (made out to MLWGS PTSA) to:
Laura Dysart, 5021 Sylvan Rd., Richmond, VA 23225.
Questions? Contact Laura at scrip@mlwgsptsa.org. Thanks for your support!
Attention: Seniors
To learn from the senior counselors about college, scholarship, career, military, enrichment, and multicultural opportunities, please view the Senior Newsletter (Sept 2020 edition) on the School Counseling website ->College Admissions Information -> Senior Newsletters: Link here.
Students are encouraged to cross-reference this publication with their Naviance accounts and the individual programs’ websites for more details.
Attention: Sophomores and Juniors
PSAT 2020-2021 Covid-19 Schedule
The PSAT is a great practice opportunity for the SAT. In a typical year, we would proctor the PSAT to all sophomores and juniors in mid-October. But this isn’t a typical year! With school closed due to Covid-19, we have developed a testing plan that takes student safety into account while prioritizing testing access for our juniors. PSAT results for juniors are used for qualification purposes for National Merit Scholarship Programs.Testing Schedule and Participation
The College Board is allowing schools extra flexibility this year, and has added two additional test sessions. We will test half of the juniors on Wednesday, Oct. 14 (juniors with last names A – Maz), and the other half on Thursday, Oct. 29 (juniors with last names Mc – Z). We have been assured that both groups will receive score reports at the same time in early December. Sophomores will take the test on Tuesday, Jan. 26, provided there are no changes in Virginia Covid-19 guidelines. Students in all sessions will sit at least six feet apart, wear masks, and be subject to temperature and Covid-19 screening upon entering the building.
We understand that some families may not feel comfortable with their students coming on campus. Students are not required to take the test. This is an optional activity based on family comfort levels with students entering the school building. It will help us with our planning if families could register for testing on this Google form. Any student taking the PSAT will be coded in attendance as "school excused" for the entire day and will be permitted to make up work without penalty.
Before the Test
PSAT Student Guides are available for pick-up in the Bluestone Lobby. The guides contain information about the tests as well as a full-length practice test. Students are encouraged to take the practice test before testing day. The guide information and practice tests are also available at www.collegeboard.org/psat, so there is no need to pick up a hard copy if that is not possible or convenient for families.
Test Day
The PSAT is a long test. Students should expect to be in school from 8:40 a.m. until about 12:45 p.m. Eat a big breakfast! Students may bring nut-free snacks, but due to the short breaks as per testing guidelines and Covid-19 concerns, there won’t be many opportunities to eat. Don’t forget #2 pencils, calculators, a mask and clothing layers for temperature variation.
After the Test
Score reports for the October test dates will be available online in mid-December. Typically, the counseling department recommends that juniors register for a spring SAT or ACT date by visiting the testing agency websites. Sophomores and juniors in AP classes may wish to consider registering for SAT Subject Tests at the end of the year as appropriate (most colleges do not require SAT Subject Tests, so check the websites of colleges you're considering).
NOTE: Because all sophomores and juniors were charged a fee for PSATs, we will provide a refund to any junior or sophomore who is unable to test this year. If we are unable to test all sophomores due to a worsening of the public health situation, we will retain sophomore test fees and apply them to next year’s fees.
Review the Student Handbook
http://www.quia.com/quiz/5928160.html (Secret Word= Dragons).
Drama Club Plans Fall Play
